Unimax Historical Legends Vikings: Raiders and Discoverers Series

The term Viking, though used to denote ship-borne explorers, traders and warriors, is actually a verb describing the acts of the Norsemen who originated in Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden and raided the coasts of the British Isles, France and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. This period of European history (generally dated to 793 - 1066) is often referred to as the Viking Age. It may also be used to denote the entire populations of these countries and their settlements elsewhere.

Famed for their navigation ability and long ships, Vikings in a few hundred years colonized the coasts and rivers of Europe, the islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and for a short while also Newfoundland circa 1000, while still reaching as far south as North Africa, east into Russia and to Constantinople for raiding and trading. Viking voyages grew less frequent with the introduction of Christianity to Scandinavia in the late 10th and 11th century. The Viking Age is often considered to have ended with the battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.

The word viking was introduced to the English language with romantic connotations in the 18th century. In the current Scandinavian languages the term viking is applied to the people who went away on viking expeditions, be it for raiding or trading. In English it has become common to use it to refer to the Viking Age Scandinavians in general. The pre-Christian Scandinavian population is also referred to as Norse. (courtesy: Wikipedia)